Overview

The doomsday book of 1086 describes Woodstock as a Royal forest, thus its old name meaning “a clearing in the woods” and it stood in an area around the river Glyme. Woodstock was founded in 1279 when king Henry 11, regarded as one of the greatest monarchs, granted land to the area, but the town was really established when the king gave a royal charter to Woodstock and it became a market town. At one time, Woodstock Palace stood here before it was destroyed during the English civil war, and that was replaced by Blenheim Palace, the home of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough, leading to his descendant Sir Winston Churchill. When the first Duke took up permanent residence here, the market town was greatly altered, and it then became divided into two areas, New Woodstock, and Old Woodstock, being divided by the river Glyme. OUR REVIEW We can take a quick tour of this honey coloured Cotswold stone small town, by visiting a few of its old buildings (photo 1) which is looking along High street. A town hall was built in 1766, which is now a grade 11 listed building (2) which is used as two wedding reception rooms, and access can be made at the triangle of High street and Market Place, while disabled wheelchair users have access via a ramp from Market square, and a stair lift to the upper floors. Over to the left from the square, we see the attractive Bear hotel (3) ( and we have visited this hotel for you, please see our review for “Woodstock part 2, Macdonald Bear hotel “) Parking is very difficult at times at Woodstock, and if you have managed to park near to the hotel around Market place, may we suggest taking in a drink as the cost is quite reasonable in this lovely old hotel and enjoy its facilities, and its location is right by the main attractions of Woodstock, so well worth a visit. Following your break, just walk out of the hotel onto high streets go across and over to the far left corner, passing the town hall, towards the Star Inn (4) one of two pubs available on Market place, and walk on down. It’s a pleasant easy walk of about 200 yards, and although only a few little shops amongst the Cotswold cottages, it’s quite a delightful walk. At the Kings Arms, turn right, and again pass a few shops, before turning right at the traffic lights on High street. Now continue ahead to arrive back at the Bear hotel, and now if you keep straight ahead on Park street, you will come to St Magdalene church (5) and its well kept frontage. Opposite the church you will see Stocks (6) and the museum with free entry (7) housed in Fletchers house, and this is accessible for wheelchairs, but motorised chairs may not be able to get into some narrow doorways. To get into the small museum, you will need to pass the reception desk (8) and straight ahead you have a button to press to open the door to get outside onto the level terrrace, then go down the slight slope (9) to reach a narrow door on the ground floor, with an exhibition of various items you might find worth spending a few minutes viewing (10). We personally did not find it very interesting. A small garden can be Viewed as well (11) with a little cafe, and across the lawn stands another museum. A few feet along Park street, stands no 22, the Treasure house, and a few old 15th century buildings, which are grade 11 listed, and then you are at Chaucers house on the corner of Chaucers lane, grade 11 listed (13) but it is a private home, no visitors.The long cottage down Chaucers lane is also grade 11 listed. (14). Down the lane on Park street are a few other listed cottages (15) before you finally reach a small car park area leading to the entrance for Blenheim Palace (16) which would involve you asking permission to step into the grounds for photos, with views to the palace from here. ( we offer you a separate review for this on our “Woodstock part 2, Blenheim Palace and Bladon, where Sir Winston Churchill was born, and on to Bladon village, where Churchill is buried, which we hope you will find interesting reading.) Heading back up Park street, we passed an interesting alley (17) before passing the church (18) and back to the Bear hotel (19). (We have reviewed the Bear for you, on “Woodstock part 3, the Bear hotel”) OUR FINAL THOUGHTS A quaint old town, not much to see or do, there are a few historical houses, but most are private for residents. If you walk or drive down Park street to Blenheim Palace, it is the best view you can have from the gate (just ask staff for permission to stand inside to take photos). On a nice sunny day you may enjoy this visit, but best to drive through to see it.

Transport & Parking

The main car park involves a walk to the old quarters, and it’s almost impossible to park along it’s main streets, but you never know, you may just find a spot. It’s at least worth driving through to see the old historical buildings, and to get the best view of Blenheim Palace.

Access

A few disabled bays available along High street and Park street, but always full. The streets are level enough, but a little bumpy on old paving, and you will be able to see all you need. The town is full, little shops, no seating other than in restaurants, so a difficult town to see, but interesting if you can park.

Toilets

These will only be available in main car park, we did not visit.

Staff

All we met were very helpful.

Photos